Mineral-oil-free encapsulant composition

ABSTRACT

A mineral-oil-free composition of matter useful as a cable splice encapsulant comprises between about 20% and about 60% polyurethane, by weight of the cured encapsulant, the balance comprising plasticizer(s) and optionally, additives such as catalysts, antioxidants and fungicides.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 117,919 filedNov. 6, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,579 which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 924,123, filed Oct. 30, 1986, now abandoned, whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 728,465, filed May 1, 1985,now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.621,083, filed June 15, 1984, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to compounds for protecting matterfrom hostile ambients by encapsulating the matter, and to matter soencapsulated. In an important specific application, this inventionrelates to encapsulating compounds for cable splices still morespecifically, it relates to encapsulating compounds for splices inmulticonductor telecommunications cables, e.g., telephone cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need to protect an article, or a part thereof, from a hostileenvironment exists in many areas of technology and commerce. Forinstance, it is often necessary to protect electrical equipment orcomponents against contact with water or moisture. A particular exampleof this is the need to so protect joints or splices between electricalconductors, e.g., splice points between multiconductor communicationscables.

A frequently used technique for protecting such splice points comprisesproviding an enclosure around the completed splice, and introducing acurable or gelable liquid into the enclosure. The liquid should ideallyfill all the voids between the conductors and other splice componentsand form closely adhering interfaces with all the surfaces it contactswithin the enclosure, thereby reducing the possibility of watermigration along such interfaces, which can result in water contact withconductors or other sensitive splice components.

An encapsulating compound for cable splices and the like should ideallyalso have other desirable characteristics, such as compatibility withall the materials it contacts, chemical stability over a wide range ofoperating temperatures, good electrical properties, be reenterable,nonsagging at high temperatures, retain acceptable mechanical propertiesat low temperatures, be nontoxic to personnel in both the liquid and thecured state, and be acceptable under applicable environmental laws.

Although no prior art encapsulating compound fully possesses all thesedesirable characteristics, splice encapsulants are in widespread use, inparticular, in the telephone industry.

Among the currently most frequently used encapsulant arepolyurethane-based material compositions mineral oil extendedcompositions. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,258, issued Sept. 18,1979 to M. Brauer et al, discloses a cured, cross-linkedgrease-compatible polyurethane-based material comprising mineral oil anda coupling agent, useful for sealing an insulated electrical device. Seealso U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,321.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,442, issued May 11, 1982 to R. J.Pokorny, discloses a polyurethane prepared from an aliphatic orcycloaliphatic isocyanate, a polydiol, a tri-or tetra-functionalaliphatic polyol, a monofunctional aliphatic alcohol, and a catalyst,the composition being useful as an encapsulating compound, said to havegood adhesion to greasy insulation material.

Prior art encapsulants, especially cable slice encapsulants, generallyare formulated to have relatively short cure (gel) times. For instance,an encapsulant that has recently become available commercially is saidto have a gel time of 20 minutes at 23° C., and a gel time at -18° C. ofonly 35 minutes. The art considers short gel time to be advantageous,since it reduces the time required to complete a splice, and allowsspeedy job completion.

Priort art encapsulants, which often have initial mixed viscosity in theorder of 300-1500 cps (centipoise) at room temperature, tend to haverapidly increasing viscosities, due to their short cure time. Thissometimes results in poor penetration of encapsulant into the splicebundle.

The prior art knows compounds, useful in rehabilitation of water-loggedcable, that have very low initial mixed viscosity (e.g., about 100 cpsat 35° F., about 10 cps at room temperature) and long cure time. See,for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,426. Such compounds typically are notuseful as splice encapsulants, due to their tendency to stress crackpolycarbonate.

Although widely used, prior art cable splice encapsulation systems donot provide fully satisfactory protection against water intrusion intothe splice work, and the resulting damage and deterioration of service.As a consequence, there exists a need for a splice system that retainsthe important advantages of prior art systems while, at the same time,being capable of giving improved protection against water intrusion.This application discloses encapsulants having novel properties thatresult in improved water intrusion resistance. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 619,266 filed June 11, 1984, co-assigned with this, andincorporated herein by reference, discloses a forced encapsulationsystem in which the instant encapsulant can be advantageously used.

Glossary of Terms

A "cable" herein is an article comprising a multiplicity of elongatedbodies, typically metallic bodies (conductors) but including alsodielectric bodies of the type used as optical fibers, and furthercomprising a dielectric sheath surrounding the elongated bodies. It isto be understood that cables typically also comprise other constituents,such as coatings or insulation around the individual fibers orconductors, strength members, metallic shielding, and filling material.Examples of cables according to the definition are multiconductorcommunication cables, e.g., telephone cables, and so-called distributionwire and service wire used in telephone systems. Further examples arecoaxial cables of the type used in CATV systems, power cables, includingcable containing power distribution wire of service wire, and opticalfiber transmission or distribution cable. Cable containing service wiretypically is used to connect a customer to a distribution system, andcable containing distribution wire is typically used to branch ahigher-capacity cable. Cable according to the definition can be adaptedto be below ground by direct burial or in buried conduit, or to bemaintained above ground.

By "curing or "gelling" of the encapsulant is meant herein a linkingprocess, including crosslinking, resulting in a substantial increase ofthe viscosity of the encapsulant.

The "cure time" or "gel time" at a given temperature herein is the timerequired for the viscosity of encapsulant at the temperature to increasefrom the initial value (typically the value immediately after mixingtogether all the components) to about 10⁵ cps. All cure times herein areunderstood to be ±15 minutes, unless stated differently.

A "prepolymer" is an adduct or reaction intermediate of a polyol and amonomeric isocyanate, in which either component can be in considerableexcess of the other.

Unless defined differently herein, all terms herein are intended to havetheir customary meaning, as defined, for instance, in The CondensedChemical Dictionary, 10th edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NewYork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, the prior art teaches that encapsulants of the typeused to protect cable splices desirably have a short curing time. We, onthe other hand, have found that increased protection of splices againstwater damage can be obtained with encapsulants having relatively longcure time. Although the inventive encapsulant can be used in prior artsplicing systems, it is advantageously used in a forced encapsulationsystem of the type taught by the above referred to patent applicationMullin-Reed Case 5-3.

The increased cure time results in more thorough filling of voids andinterstices within the splice enclosure (e.g., the elastomer bag of theforced encapsulation system) and the cable ends, leading to improvedresistance of the splice system to water intrusion and the therebycaused electrical problems.

The correctness of this novel approach is verified by means of a waterintrusion test, to be described later. In this test, splicesencapsulated with a prior art encapsulant that is widely used in thetelephone industry, having a cure time at 70° F. for 30 minutes,typically failed after about 1-3 days with a 5 ft. head (cable filledwith an oil-extended thermoplastic rubber). In the same test, similarsplices encapsulated with the same, but uncatalyzed, encapsulant (curetime at 70° F. about 20-24 hours) typically failed after about 17 dayswith a 5 ft. head. The improvement in this case clearly is dramatic.Other advantages of the inventive encapsulant will be discussed below.

In a broad sense the inventive composition of matter is a curablematerial comprising at least one isocyanate, at least one polyol, atleast one ester plasticizer, and, optionally, one or more diluents, thematerial having a cure time of at least about 50 minutes at 25° C. Theinvention also comprises the above composition of matter in combinationwith matter comprising a splice between at least two cables, the spliceenveloped in the encapsulant, and the composition of matter, incombination with matter comprising at least one cable, such as in endcaps and cable studs.

The encapsulant is advantageously used by mixing, at the splice site,the previously prepared components of a two- (or multi-) componentpreparation, pouring the encapsulant into a splice enclosure, where itcures in situ.

As is well known, polyurethane is produced by the condensation reactionof an isocyanate and a hydroxyl-containing material such as a polyol. Wehave found that the total amounts of isocyante and of polyol in theuncured encapsulant advantageously are such that the cured encapsulantcomprises between about 20% and about 60% polyurethane, preferablybetween about 30% and 50%, by weight of the cured encapsulant, thebalance comprising diluent(s) and/or plasticizers. All compositionalpercentages herein are intended to be weight percent of the curedencapsulant, unless stated otherwise. The weight fraction ofpolyurethane is typically chosen to result in a cured encapsulant havingappropriate characteristics, including relatively low tear strength,relatively high pull-out strength, good resistance to water intrusion,and compatibility with cable filling compounds and splice components.

Both aliphatic and aromatic isocyanates are useful in the practice ofthe invention. The average number of -NCO radicals advantageously isfrom about 1.2 to about 1.0 per hydroxyl radical. Diluents, of the typeto be discussed below, can be added to the isocyanate component as wellas to the polyol component, to adjust the mix ratio, and possibly forother reasons.

A variety of hydroxyl-terminated materials can be used to practice theinvention, including Castor Oil, polyether and polyester polyols, andhydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene ((HTPBD). Criteria for selectioninclude low water absorption, hydrolytic stability, and reactivity. Acurrently preferred polyol is a HTPBD.

The inventive encapsulant can also comprise one or more substantiallyunreactive components (diluents), as well as, typically, an ester (orcombination of esters) plasticizer. A variety of esters can be employedin the practice of the invention, including esters based on phthalicacid and trimellitic acid, as well as esters of adipic acid and similardiacids.

As is well known, esters can cause stress cracking of polycarbonates, amaterial frequently present in cable splices (e.g., in connectors). Thelikelihood of stress cracking decreases with increasing molecularweight, and therefore viscosity, of the ester. On the other hand, theviscosity of the ester should be relatively low, in order to achieve arelatively low-viscosity encapsulant. We have found that esters havingviscosity between about 50 and about 500 cps (at 25° C.) can beadvantageously used in the inventive encapsulant.

The weight fraction of esters typically is between about 25% and about70%, preferably between 35% and 60%. The amount advantageously presentdepends, inter alia, on the stress cracking potential, the viscosity andthe hydrolytic stability of the ester, and the desired dry heat agingcharacteristics of the encapsulant.

Encapsulant according to the invention may also comprise hydrocarbonoil, typically less than 35%, preferably less than 15%. Some preferredcompositions are substantially free of hydrocarbon oils. The hydrocarbonoils useful in the practice of the invention comprise saturatedsynthetic oils, unsaturated oils, as well as mineral oils.

Mineral oils herein are those aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and branchedaliphatic saturated hydrocarbons that contain about 15-20 carbon atomsand are distilled from petroleum. Included are naphthenic as well asparaffinic oils, with naphthenic oils being preferred. Also included arethe above oils having a substantial proportion (typically about 5-25%b.w. of the oil) of aromatic molecules. Aromatic oils generally arecompatible with polyol and are typically inexpensive diluents, but tendto be volatile and toxic, and can result in stress cracking ofpolycarbonate.

Saturated synthetic oils, e.g., olefins of the type disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,355,130, and 3,338,861, can be used in the inventiveencapsulant. These oils typically are inexpensive diluents that canreduce the likelihood of stress cracking of polycarbonate. Although useof the above mineral and synthetic oils may be advantageous for costreasons, the amount added typically should be minimized, in order to getimproved encapsulation performance.

Another type of synthetic oils, the unsaturated oils, also referred toas liquid rubbers, e.g., unsubstituted polybutadiene or polyisoprene, ordepolymerized natural rubber, are also contemplated as diluents.

An important aspect of the inventive material being its relatively longcure time, the amount of catalyst present is of significance. A widelyused catalyst, dibutyl tin dilaurate, has been found to be useful in thepractice of the invention. Other known initiators, such asorganophosphorous and organoarsenic compounds, are also contemplated.Use of a catalyst is optional, depending, inter alia, on the desiredcure time. We have found that catalyst-free encapsulants according tothe invention, which may, dependent on the amount and type of polyolpresent, require up to 20 hours and more to cure at room temperature,can form highly water-resistant seals, and such compositions are amongthe currently preferred ones.

Since long gel times are desirable in material according to theinvention, it is in principle not necessary to prepare a prepolymer ofthe isocyanate component. However, for health and safety considerations,some prereaction may be desirable.

A further aspect of the invention is the typically relatively low mixedinitial viscosity of the encapsulant, typically between about 150 cpsand about 1500 cps at 25° C. In some preferred compositions thisviscosity is about 400-900 cps. This relatively low viscositycontributes to thorough penetration of the splice work, and often tosome penetration into the cable ends, resulting in goodwater-intrusion-resistance of the encapsulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A significant aspect of the invention is the discovery that thewater-intrusion resistance of encapsulated splices typically can beimproved by using a liquid encapsulant having relatively long (longerthan about 50 minutes at 25° C.) curing time, while maintaining (orimprovind upon) the other relevant material properties of theencapsulant. These other properties include initial mixed viscosity, lowtear strength and compatibility wih all materials present in the splice,including, possibly, preexisting encapsulant in reentered splices. Somerelevant aspects of compatibility are: absence of stress cracking,absence of gross materials changes at interfaces (e.g., formation of"oily" interfaces, tackifying of polymeric surfaces), and relativelyhigh pull-out strength of encapsulated (plastic insulated) conductorsprecoated with cable filling compound.

Compositions according to the invention are advantageously prepared onsite by mixing of two separate previously prepared materials, althoughall the individual components could be mixed together on site, if sodesired.

Typically, although not necessarily, one of the previously preparedmaterials comprises an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. The prepolymercan be formed by known methods (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. Re.30,321, incorporated herein by reference) from aliphatic or aromaticisocyanates, or from appropriate derivatives. Aliphatic isocyanatesuseful in the practice of the invention include hexamethylenediisocyanate (HMDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 3-isocyanatemethyl,and 3, 5, 5 trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate. Such aromatic isocyanatesinclude 4, 4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and 2, 4-tolylenediisocyanate (TDI). Appropriate derivatives of isocyanates include apolymethylene phenyl isocyanate available from Upjohn Company. La Porte,Texas, under the trade name PAPI94, and a polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate available from Mobay Chemical Corportion, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, under the trade name MONDUR MRS-10. In general, thederivatives comprise aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates substituted withother organic and inorganic groups that do not adversely affect thecourse of the chain-extending and/or cross-linking reaction. Isocyanatesuseful in the practice of the invention typically have relatively lowaverage "functionality", between about 2 and about 2.5.

An isocyanate-terminated prepolymer can be prepared by reacting anexcess of an appropriate isocyanate with one or more polyols, typicallypolyol of molecular weight between about 1000 and about 6000. Among thepolyols useful in the practice of the invention are those selected fromcompounds based essentially on HTPBD, hydroxyl-bearing ethers and/oresters, Castor Oil, or combinations thereof. Polyols of the same typecan also be used in the second part of a two-part preparation, alsoreferred to herein as the polyol part. Other desirable polyols arehydroxyl-terminated polyisoprene, and combinations of butadiene and/orisoprene with other momomers, such as styrene.

Criteria for selection of polyols comprise low water absorption andappropriate reactivity of the polyol, as well as good hydrolyticstability and flexibility of the encapsulant formed therewith. Thecurrently preferred polyols belong to a family of liquid, hydroxylterminated polymers of butadiene with a number average molecular weightof about 3000, and degree of polymerization typically in the range of50, available from ARCO Chemical Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,under the trade name POLY BD.

Polyether and/or polyester are used to reduce the viscosity and toreduce the reactivity. For instance, use of polyols having secondary ortertiary hydroxyls, e.g., polyether diols and triols, reduces the rateof reaction, and delays onset of gelation, relative to a similar systemusing primary hydroxyl polyols. On the other hand, use of highermolecular weight polyol typically results in higher viscosity of themixed encapsulant.

Exemplary polyether polyols are propylene oxide adducts of diolstarters, propylene oxide adducts of triol starters, ethylene oxideadducts of polyoxypropylene diols, and ethylene oxide adducts ofpolyoxypropylene triols, all available from Union Carbide Corporation,Danbury, Connecticut, under the trade name NIAX POLYOLS. Other exemplarypolyether polyols are available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, underthe trade name TERACOL. These latter substances are polytetramethyleneether glycols.

Castor Oil is one of the polyols known to the prior art. Although it isadvantageously used in prepolymer formation, its exclusive use in thepolyol part is currently not preferred. An exemplary Castor Oil is asubstance consisting substantially of triglyceride of ricinoleic acid,available from CasChem Corporation, Bayonne, New Jersey under the tradename DB OIL.

It will be understood that, in general, the liquid encapsulant, or itsprecursor materials, has to comprise enough isocyanate(s) and polyol(s)to result in a 20-60% b.w. polyurethane content of the curedencapsulant, with the balance being diluents, plasticizers, catalyst,fungicides, antioxidants, or other property-modifiying additives.Various ways of achieving this end are possible and known to thoseskilled in the art, and all these are intended to be within the scope ofthe invention.

The polyol part of a two-part encapsulant preparation according to theinvention typically comprises, in addition to polyol or polyols, one ormore nonreacting esters (a plasticizer), and, optionally, saturatedsynthetic oils, unsaturated oils, and/or mineral oils, in addition tosuch optional additives as catalysts.

Exemplary esters are listed, for instance, in Technology ofPlasticizers, J. K. Sears and J. R. Darby, J. Wiley and Sons, 1982, andinclude phthalates, trimellitates, high molecular weight adipates,azelates, and succinates, and similar esters which meet the criterion oflow stress-cracking activity on polycarbonates. Specific examples are6-10 trimellitates, available from USS Chemical, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, under the trade name PX-336, and ditridecyl phthalates,available from Exxon Corporation, Houston, Texas. Esters typically areabout 25-70%, preferably 30-60%, of the encapsulant.

In material according to the invention, the proporation of hydrocarbonoils is preferably relatively low, typically less than 35%. Reducing theamount of hydrocarbon from the relatively high amounts present in priorart encapsulants results typically in increased water intrusionresistance by the encapsulant. Mineral oils useful in the practice ofthe invention are napththenic as well as paraffinic oils, wih the formergenerally preferred, since they are generally more compatible withHTPBD, and generally have lower pour point than the latter. Thenaphthenic oil content of the mineral oil is desirably greater than 25%,as determined by carbon type analysis, and desirably have an aromaticcontent less than 15% by weight of the oil, as determined by clay gelanalysis. Desirably, the pour point is less than about +15° F., and theSUS viscosity is between about 200 and about 400. Such mineral oils areavailable, for instance, from Sun Oil Corporation, Marcus Hook,Pennsylvania (e.g., under the trade name SUNPAR LW 120), and fromPenreco, Butler, Pennsylvania (e.g., under the trade name DRAKEOL 35).Synthetic oils typically are added at about the 5% b.w. level because oftheir generally relatively high viscosity.

Oils such as polyisoprenes, depolymerized material rubbers, orpolybutadienes are typically compatible with HTPBD and thus may be usedto replace in part nonreactive esters. This substitution was found toresult in improved water resistance of at least some encapsulants. Apreferred synthetic oil is polyisoprene, available from Hardman,Incorporated, Belleville, New Jersey, under the trade name ISOLENE XL,having a viscosity of 20,000 cps at 72° F. An exemplary butadiene isavailable from Colorado Chemical Specialities, Inc., Golden, Colorado,under the trade name RICON 157, having viscosity of 7000 cps at 25° C.

In general, hydrocarbon oils of the type discussed here are mixtures ofvarious molecular weight oils, including, generally, aromatic as well asnapthinic and paraffinic oils. Aromatic oils are available from KendrichOil of Bayonne, New Jersey (e.g., under the trade name KEMPLAST G). Suchoils typically cannot be used undiluted because of their tendency tostress crack polycarbonate, as well as their toxicity. For similarreasons, the aromatic content of naphtinic and paraffinic oils should berelatively low, typically no more than about 15% b.w. of the oil (byclay gel analysis). DRAKEOL 35 is substantially aromaticfree.

Catalysts for curing polyurethanes as well known and include dibutyl tindilaurate, available under the designation T-12 from M&T Chemicals,Inc., of Rahway, New Jersey. The amount of catalyst is to be adjusted toresult in the desired gel time, no less than about 50 minutes at 25° C.The exact amount typically depends on the details of the composition andthe desired objective, and its determination may require a minor amountof experimentation. A typical level is 0.06% b.w. of polyol. In anencapsulant comprising about 40% polyurethane, this amount of tincatalyst would result in a cure time of about 60 minutes. It is, ofcourse, possible to practice the invention without use of catalyst. Thecure time can be adjusted not only by choice of the amount (or type) ofcatalyst used, but also by proper selection of the proportion of primaryor higher polyols with the presence of higher (secondary or tertiary)polyols resulting in longer cure time. However, it is not only the curetime at 25° C. that is of concern in materials according to theinvention, but also the cure times at higher temperatures.

Currently preferred encapsulant compositions comprise less than 10%hydrocarbon oil, more preferably still, are substantially free of suchoils. Furthermore, such compositions comprise between about 50% andabout 70% of trimellitate. Some of the trimellitate may be present inthe prepolymer part. That part further comprises sufficient MDIisocyanate and Castor Oil such that, together with the HTPBD-basedpolyol in the polyol part, between about 30% and about 50% of theencapsulant formed from the parts, is polyurethane. Furthermore,preferred compositions have gel times greater than 75 minutes at 25° C.,with some preferred compositions being substantially catalyst-free.

The ability of various encapsulants to resist water intrusion into asplice was evaluated by means of a test in which a simulated splice,comprising typically 50 pairs of standard 22 AWG plastic insulationconductor, connected by means of a commercially available connector,inserted into a test cell which was then filled with encapsulant, wassubjected to water at a controlled pressure, indicated in terms of headof water. The electrical resistance between various combinations ofwires (corresponding to ring-ground, tip-ground, and ring-tip in atelephone cable) was monitored, with a drop below 10⁹ considered afailure. Increase in time to failure indicates improved ability toresist water inversion. Table I shows examplary results of some of thesetests.

    ______________________________________                                        Key to Table I: for compositions, see Table II                                ______________________________________                                        "catalyzed": gel times 20-40 minutes;                                         "1/2 catalyzed": gel time about 65 minutes;                                   "uncatalyzed": gel times about 20 hours;                                      (all gel times are at room temperature);                                      conductors "a": had been in contact with                                      oil extended thermoplastic rubber                                             filling compound;                                                             conductors "b": had not been in contact with any                              filling compound;                                                             conductors "c": had been in contact with petroleum                            jelly filling compound;                                                       days to failure "+" indicates that test is continuing.                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Water Intrusion Test                                                                                        water head                                                                            days to                                 line encapsulant    conductors                                                                              (feet)  failure                                 ______________________________________                                         1   D, catalyzed   b         5       134+                                     2   D, catalyzed   a         5       1-3                                      3   D, catalyzed   c         5       <1                                       4   D, uncatalyzed a         5       17                                       5   F, catalyzed   a         5       43                                       6   F, catalyzed,  a         5       3                                            partially reacted                                                         7   F-1, catalyzed a         5       3                                        8   F-1, catalyzed a         5       1                                            partially reacted                                                         9   N-6XL, catalyzed                                                                             a         5       121                                     10   C-1, 1/2 catalyzed                                                                           c         5       2                                       11   C-1, uncatalyzed                                                                             c         5       35+                                     12   D, catalyzed   b         8       <1                                      13   D, uncatalyzed a         8       <3                                      14   F, catalyzed   a         8       <5                                      15   F, uncatalyzed a         8       42+                                     16   F-1, catalyzed a         8       22                                      17   F-1, uncatalyzed                                                                             a         8       69+                                     18   N-6XL, catalyzed                                                                             a         8       14                                      19   F-17B, catalyzed                                                                             a         8       1                                       20   F-17B, uncatalyzed                                                                           a         8       88+                                     21   F-1, uncatalyzed                                                                             a         10      69+                                     ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Composition of Encapsulants of Table I                                                             Poly-                                                        Poly-                                                                              Ratio       ether                                                                              Diluents and                                        Encap-                                                                            urethane                                                                           prepolymer/                                                                          HTPBD                                                                              polyol.sup.(c)                                                                     Plasticizers (%)                                    sulant                                                                            (%)  polyol (%)  (%)  (1)                                                                              (2)                                                                              (3)                                                                             (4)                                         __________________________________________________________________________    D.sup.(a)                                                                         34.9 17/83  32.5 --   25.2                                                                             42.3                                                                             --                                                                              --                                          D.sup.(b)                                                                         34.9 17/83  32.5 --   25.2                                                                             42.3                                                                             --                                                                              --                                          F   49.2 21.4/78.6                                                                            51.1 --   17.8                                                                             31.1                                                                             --                                                                              --                                          F-1 49.0 21.2/78.8                                                                            49.4 --   50.6                                                                             -- --                                                                              --                                          N-6XL                                                                             45.7 19.7/80.3                                                                            46.4 --   45.5                                                                             -- 8.1                                                                             --                                          C-1 40.0 17.7/82.3                                                                            40.2 --   -- -- --                                                                              59.8                                        F-17B                                                                             50.0 22.9/77.1                                                                            31.2 20.6 48.2                                                                             -- --                                                                              --                                          __________________________________________________________________________     Notes:                                                                        (i) An isocyanateterminated CastorOil-based polyurethane prepolymer           (comprising polymeric MDI, Castor Oil, and dioctyl adipate) available fro     CasChem, Inc. under the trade name VORITE 715 M1, was used as the             prepolymer part in all compositions listed in Table II.                       (ii) The percentage of polyurethane is weight percent of the cured            encapsulant, all other percentages are weight percent of the polyol part.     Key to Table II:                                                              .sup.(a) catalyzed: a HTPBDbased polyol, available from CasChem, Inc.         under the trade name POLYCIN 934M3, was used. The composition of the          polyol was established using IR analysis methods.                             .sup.(b) uncatalyzed: as in (a), except that trade name is POLYCIN 934M4      .sup.(c) polyether triol NIAX LG56                                            .sup.(1) dioctyl adipate                                                      .sup.(2) white mineral oil, DRAKEOL 35                                        .sup.(3) synthetic oil, ISOLENE XL 200973                                     .sup.(4) 6-10 trimellitate                                               

Table I shows, inter alia, that typically the water intrusion resistancedepends on the presence or absence of a filling compound and, wherepresent, on the type of filling compound. Compare, for instance, lines 1and 2, and lines 2 and 3, of Table I, Furthermore, the data shows thattypically longer cure times, in excess of about 60 minutes, result inimproved water intrusion resistance. See, for instance, lines 2 and 4,10 and 11, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, and 19 and 20. A further pointillustrated by the data is the effect of viscosity and very short geltimes. See lines 5 and 6, and 7 and 8. The "partially reacted" compoundswere held at room temperature for about 10 minutes after mixing, andthen poured. This resulted in high initial viscosity of the encapsulantas poured, as well as in reduced subsequent gel time. The observedeffect was a significant reduction in the time to failure. The tablealso illustrates the sensitivity of time to failure to water pressure.See lines 5 and 14, and 17 and 21. A further significant pointillustrated by the data is the effect of composition, in particular, ofdiluent content, on water intrusion resistance. See lines 2 and 5, and11 and 13. The beneficial effect of mineral oil reduction or eliminationis also apparent. See lines 5 and 7, and 14 and 16.

Bonding of encapsulant to insulated conductors is measured by means of apull-out test. A predetermined length of conductor (4.5 inches) isembedded in encapsulant and pulled out (at a rate of 50 mm/minute) on astandard tensile test machine (Instron). Increase in pull-out forceindicates improved adhesion of the encapsulant to the insulation. Inorder to get results representative of actual conditions, wires removedfrom actual cables (air core, petroleum jelly filled, and oil-extendedthermoplastic-filled) were used. Exemplary results are shown in TableIII.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        Pull-Out Test                                                                 line  encapsulant  conductors                                                                              pull-out load (lb.)                              ______________________________________                                        1     D, catalyzed a         2.4                                              2     D, catalyzed b         7.4                                              3     F, uncatalyzed                                                                             a         3.7                                              4     F-1, uncatalyzed                                                                           a         4.4                                              5     C-1, uncatalyzed                                                                           a         10.2                                             6     C-1, uncatalyzed                                                                           b         13.1                                             7     C-1, uncatalyzed                                                                           c         2.5                                              8     C-1, 1/2 catalyzed                                                                         a         12.6                                             9     C-1, 1/2 catalyzed                                                                         c         3.0                                              ______________________________________                                         Note: see keys to Tables I and II for explanation.                       

The data of Table III shows, inter alia, the effect of insulatorcontamination on pull-out strength, with clean (unfilled cable)conductors tending to have higher strength. See lines 1 and 2, and 6 and7. Furthermore, the type of filling compound is shown to be important.See lines 9 and 10. The results also indicate that long cure time doesnot have a significant effect on the pull-out strength. This suggeststhat the improved water intrusion resistance of encapsulants accordingto the invention is due to their low viscosity and long cure time.Desirably, encapsulants according to the invention have pull-outstrength (as measured by the above-described test) of at least about 4lb. for 22 AWG plastic insulated wires whose insulation is treated withoil-extended thermoplastic, and of at least about 2 lb. for such wireswhose insulation is treated with petroleum jelly.

Although the preferred application of compositions of matter accordingto the invention is as cable splice encapsulant, these compositions cantypically also be employed for making pressure plugs in cables,preferably in filled telecommunications cables. In this application theinventive composition is typically injected under pressure into thecable and allowed to cure in situ. This procedure does typically requireno further preparatory steps, and results in pressure plugs that permitsplicing of unpressurized cable to pressurized cable. Other possibleuses of the inventive composition are as encapsulant in cable end caps,as encapsulant in cable restoration, and as filling compound in cablestuds. End caps are used to protect a cable termination, e.g., thetermination of a telephone distribution cable. Plastic insulation issubject to deterioration in some environments, and such cables can berestored by removing the portion containing the cracked insulation,splicing a cable stub to the virgin conductor, and encapsulating thesplice. Cable stubs are short lengths of cable that may be attached toequipment such as terminals or repeater housings.

The following examples are intended to further illustrate the practiceof the invention, in particular, the synthesis of encapsulants accordingto the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A prepolymer was prepared, substantially as described in U.S. Pat. No.Re. 30,321, Example XIII. The reactants and their amounts were also asgiven in that example. A polyol mixture was prepared by mixing 40.2parts b.w. hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (POLY BD) with 59.8 partsnormal alkyl trimellitate (6-10 TM) until homogeneously dispersed, witha resulting viscosity of about 896 cps at 75° F. Mixing 17.7 parts byweight prepolymer with 82.3 parts of polyol mixture (NCO/hydroxyl ratioof about 1.15, in this and all subsequent examples) resulted inencapsulant having a gel time of about 20 hours, relatively low tearstrength (2.85 lb/inch width), and good water intrusion resistance (seeline 11 of Table I).

EXAMPLE 2

A prepolymer of the same composition as in Example 1 was preparedsubstantially as in Example 1, except that the prepolymer was preparedat room temperature, without any heating step. The polyol mixture hadthe same composition as the mixture of Example 1. The encapsulantresulting from mixing of the two components had properties substantialas the material of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

A prepolymer is prepared by a procedure substantially as described inU.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,321, Example XIII, except that polymeric MDI isreplacd by IPDI, and that the following percentages of materials areused: 25.6% IPDI, 14.9% Castor Oil, and 59.5% dioctyl adipate. Allpercentages are by weight of prepolymer. A polyol is prepared by mixing40.2% POLY BD and 59.8% 6-10 trimellitate. Mixing the prepolymer and thepolyol results in an encapsulant having a polyurethane content of 40%b.w. and a cure time of about 20 hrs.

For the examples below VORITE 715 M-1 was used. See Notes to Table II.

EXAMPLE 4

A polyol mixture was prepared as in Example 1, and encapsulant formed bymixing 17.7 parts of the commercial prepolymer with 82.3 parts of thepolyol mixture. The properties of the resulting encapsulant weresubstantially the same as those described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

A polyol mixture was prepared by mixing 49.4 parts of HTPBD with 50.6parts of dioctyl adipate. The viscosity of the resulting material wasabout 577 cps at 75° F. Mixing 21.2 parts of the commercial prepolymerwith 78.8 parts of the polyol mixture resulted in an encapsulant with agel time of about 20 hours.

EXAMPLE 6

A polyol mixture was prepared as in Example 5, to which 0.0165% of T-12dibutyl tin dilaurate catalyst was added. Adding 78.8 parts of thismixture to 21.2 parts of the commercial prepolymer yielded encapsulanthaving a gel time of about 30 minutes at 75° F.

EXAMPLE 7

22.9 parts of the commercial prepolymer is mixed with 77.1 parts of apolyol mixture formed by blending HTPBD with a polyether polyol (NIAXLG56) in a weight ratio 1.86:1 and dioctyl adipate, for a totalpolyurethane content of the encapsulant of 50% b.w. The polyol mixturehad a viscosity of 348 cps at 75° F. The encapsulant had a cure time inexcess of 20 hours, and showed good water intrusion resistance. See line20 of Table I.

I claim:
 1. A mineral-oil-free composition consisting essentially of(i)20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanateand at least one polyol, with the balance consisting of esterplasticizer; or (ii) 20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from atleast one isocyanate and at least one polyol, with the balanceconsisting of ester plasticizer and an additive selected from the groupconsisting of catalysts, fungicides, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.2. The compositions of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 25-75%by weight plasticizer.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the atleast one isocyanate is selected from the group consisitng ofdiphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric MDI, and derivatives ofMDI, and wherein the at least one polyol is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, hydroxyl-terminatedpolyisoprene, polyether, and castor oil, and the plasticizer has aviscosity of at most 500 cps at 25° C.
 4. The composition of claim 2,wherein the plasticizer is chosen from the group consisting oftrimellitates, phthalates, azelates, succinates, high molecular weightadipates, and combinations thereof.
 5. The composition of claim 4,wherein the plasticizer is chosen from the group consisting of 6-10trimellitate, ditridecyl phthalate, dioctyl adipate, and combinationsthereof.
 6. A mineral-oil-free composition formed by mixing together atleast two precursor compositions, the composition adapted for use as anencapsulant and consisting essentially of(i) 20-60% by weight ofpolyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and at least onepolyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer; or (ii) 20-60%by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and atleast one polyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer andan additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, fungicides,antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The composition of claim 6,wherein the composition comprises 25-75% by weight plasticizer.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 7, wherein the at least one isocyanate is selectedfrom the group consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI),polymeric MDI, and derivatives of MDI, and wherein the at least onepolyol is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl-terminatedpolybutadiene, hydroxyl-terminated polyisoprene, polyether, and castoroil, and the plasticizer is chosen from the group consisting of thetrimellitates, phthalates, azelates, succinates, high molecular weightadipates, and combinations thereof.
 9. The composition of claim 8,wherein the plasticizer is chosen from the group consisting of 6-10trimellitate, ditridecyl phthalate, dioctyl adipate, and combinationsthereof.